Figure 6.

The p53-Wig-1-N-Myc axis. Model for p53-dependent cell cycle arrest and DNA repair induced by low to moderate cellular stress, followed by cell cycle re-entry and resumed cell growth. Wig-1 may facilitate cell cycle progression and survival post stress by sustaining levels of growth-promoting mRNAs such as N-Myc, while simultaneously stabilizing p53 mRNA to facilitate subsequent p53 activation in case of remaining damage. It is also conceivable that low levels of p53 in unstressed cells can promote survival via induction of Wig-1. In case of severe stress, cells will die from p53-mediated apoptosis